I've always wondered how to make a pumpkin pie from an actual pumpkin. This year I decided to find out.

I like to consider myself a rather inventive person. The first time around (I'll show you pictures) I managed with no electricity except for the microwave (to cook the pumpkin). The second time around (I bought two pumpkins and needed to use the second one) I used no electricity at all except for lights, but I probably could have used candles just as well.

This is the part where a normal person would use a blender or a food processor. I have neither of those things, so I used a strainer and a rubber spatula and pressed the pumpkin through the strainer to break up all the stringy bits.

I mixed the pumpkin puree in with assorted spices etc

Put the crust in the pan, put the mix in the crust and popped it in the oven.

Also, I substituted coconut oil for shortening and used Splenda instead of sugar.

I make it sound so easy. Before I show you pictures, let me tell you why it wasn't.

The pumpkin the first time around was steamed in the microwave. It took 15 minutes for half the pumpkin. After those 15 minutes, the mic overheated and ceased to work for about a half an hour. It ended up overheating twice.

The pumpkin the second time around was steamed in the oven. It took an hour and a half. So both methods basically cost the same amount of time.

Not having a hand blender and using the method in step 4, it took me a ridiculous amount of time. It worked though, so I'm not complaining.

The recipe was delicious, but I had so much mix left over that I ended up making:1 Pie6 Mini-pies2 Loaves of bread